Having plant roommates comes with a multitude of benefits (reduction of airborne toxins, increased productivity), but, while this has yet to be proven, dead plants tend to make everyone feel sucky. When contemplating adding some flora to your indoor life, it’s best to choose something low maintenance. Just like certain cats have developed the prefix “House,” there are (at least) 10 plants that classify as appropriate for apartments. Marisa Competello of Meta Flora tells us her top 10, in order from “ignore this and it'll live for years' to “you can't completely neglect, but it's pretty hard to kill.”
Cactus : “This is the absolute easiest way to go. They come in so many sculptural shapes and sizes. It likes a warm and sunny spot, but you only have to water it once a month.”
Pencil Cactus : “It’s got the same care instructions as a normal cactus, but the silhouette is super interesting—skinny and long.”
Snake Plant : “This one looks like a tall, thin grass—but they’re sturdy and don’t wilt easily. Put them in a sunny window or let them live without a lot of light, they can go either way. Water every few weeks.”
Ponytail Palm : “These always seem really humorous to me. They look like mini palm trees you can have in your house. There are lots of lush leaves at the top that end up looking a bit like a ponytail—hence the name. And they don’t need much water.”
Bromeliad : “I absolutely love these. They look so tropical but can live in your house all year long. Plus they flower! Only water these when you notice the soil is dry.”
Fig Tree : “It can be the only plant in the room and make such a statement. They're impressive and tall—but can work for homes with kids and pets because the trunk is long and all the leaves are at the top. They need bright light and keep the soil moist regularly.”
Jade : “One of my absolute favorites, you see it a lot in California. It looks really great with a nice, modern interior. But it needs direct sunlight, which can be difficult in an apartment.”
Aloe : “It’s interesting to look at and useful in home remedies. It’s not a plant that requires a lot direct sunlight, but it does need some—and make sure it stays moist.”
Hanging Stag Horn : “This type of fern with larger leaves is often mounted, but I like it hanging—it reminds me of a mobile. They need super sun, watering once a week, and a thorough soaking in your sink once a month.”
Orchid : “This is the most beautiful flowering indoor plant; blooms pop up a couple times a year. But this is definitely a high-maintenance option—give it lots of light and attention.”
Photos by Tom Newton.
